KC Energy’s Post

𝗨𝗞 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬 🌱⚡ The #UKGovernment has unveiled its ambitious Clean Power Action Plan, aiming for a cleaner, more energy-independent future by 2030. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 🌍🔌 The plan outlines key steps to secure energy independence, stabilise energy prices, and create new jobs, all while tackling the climate crisis. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasised, "The clean power sprint is the national security, economic security, and social justice fight of our time," highlighting the importance of this transition for the UK’s future. 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 🏠⚡ The strategy draws on recommendations from the National Energy System Operator (NESO), which states that the shift to clean energy is both feasible and cost-effective. NESO's CEO Fintan Slye said, "We look forward to continuing to work with the Government, the energy regulator, and the wider industry to unlock the benefits of clean, secure power." 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 🌍💰 The plan aims to reduce dependency on foreign fossil fuels, with a particular focus on renewables and nuclear power. Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, pointed out, “The UK is ‘dangerously unprepared’ for another crisis, but clean power will be a significant step towards energy independence." Read more at https://lnkd.in/eAkyUiRS #technews #cleanenergy #renewables #climatecrisis #offshorewind #energytransition

Waw! This megaproject will be great! Looking forward to living 2030+! New York's #electric #grid faces significant strain during peak demand periods in the morning and evening, heavily relying on #naturalgas despite efforts to #transition to #renewable #energy. This is exacerbated by the intermittent nature of #wind and #solar #power and the current limitations in energy #storage technology. A group of entrepreneurs is proposing a solution that involves building the world’s largest #subsea #energy #interconnector, linking #Europe and North #America with high-voltage cables spanning over 2,000 miles across (can you imagine??!?) the Atlantic Ocean. This interconnector would allow renewable energy to flow between the continents, taking advantage of time zone differences to balance supply and demand. For instance, excess solar power from Europe during its midday peak could be sent to the U.S. East Coast, and vice versa. The project, known as NATO-L, aims to transmit up to 6 GW of energy—equivalent to the output of six large #nuclear power plants. While still in the proposal stage, the interconnector is anticipated to be completed by the mid-#2030s, contingent on substantial investment and political buy-in from multiple countries. This initiative is part of a broader trend of constructing #green #energy networks across the globe. Europe already has several undersea energy cables, and similar projects are being planned in other regions, such as between #Australia and #Singapore, and #India and #SaudiArabia. These networks not only facilitate the transition to renewable energy but also reshape #geopolitical relationships by reducing dependency on #fossil #fuels. However, the project faces significant security risks, particularly from #Russian activities in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, where undersea infrastructure has been targeted. While the cables in the deep Atlantic would be relatively secure, they are vulnerable in shallower waters. The geopolitical implications are substantial. Strengthening energy ties between Europe and North America could signal a united front against Russia, which has historically leveraged its fossil fuel resources for geopolitical influence. This project, along with others, represents a shift towards a green energy future that could diminish Russia's global power while enhancing #energy #security and #cooperation among #allied #nations. Nonetheless, political uncertainties, such as changes in U.S. leadership, could impact the project's feasibility and longevity. The transatlantic energy interconnector is a forward-looking initiative that seeks to address #climatechange, enhance #energysecurity, and navigate the complex geopolitical landscape of the 21st century. https://lnkd.in/dtrGKy43

‘Harnessing the Role of Boards in the Climate Transition’ -Shailesh Haribhakti [GCB.D] from #Geneva In a phone interview with Team #BoardStewardship Shailesh Haribhakti [GCB.D] spoke from Geneva about his invite there, alongwith 40 board directors representing diverse countries and sectors to take part in a two-day round table work shop hosting at the World Economic Forum HQ Geneva,Switzerland. The round table’s primary focus is on catalysing innovative board leadership to adopt a stewardship mindset and ensure a systemic approach to climate action Shailesh Haribhakti said “By one official estimate, Sweden could see power demand from data centers roughly double over the course of this decade — and then double again by 2040. In the UK, AI is expected to suck up 500% more energy over the next decade. And in the US, data centers are projected to use 8% of total power by 2030, up from 3% in 2022, according to Goldman Sachs, which described it as “the kind of electricity growth that hasn’t been seen in a generation.” Globally, there are more than 7,000 data centers built or in various stages of development, up from 3,600 in 2015.These data centers have the capacity to consume a combined 508 terawatt hours of electricity per year if they were to run constantly. That’s greater than the total annual electricity production for Italy or Australia. By 2034, global energy consumption by data centers is expected to top 1,580 TWh, about as much as is used by all of India. While tech companies are quick to point out that data centers account for less than 2% of global energy use even with all the expansion, an April report from Goldman Sachs estimates that figure could rise to 4% by the end of the decade. In the US, power demand is expected to grow by 40% over the next two decades, compared with just 9% growth over the past 20 years, according to John Ketchum, chief executive officer at NextEra Energy Inc., the world’s biggest builder of wind and solar energy that isn’t backed by a government. Data centers are the biggest reason for that demand boom, Ketchum said, citing electrification and manufacturing as other factors. This is a huge opportunity for both electrification and greening of energy. Let the world embrace every source: sun, wind, wave, hydro, hydrogen, biogas, nuclear, fusion, and any other new innovations. We have the ability to move completely to renewables in a decade. Let’s not lose this just transition! “ The World Economic Forum, in partnership with the #ClimateGovernanceInitiative (CGI), is helping boards navigate this complex landscape by equipping them with the necessary tools and insights to implement the Principles of Effective Climate Governance, and embed climate in their organisational strategies. In pic Alexandra Bolton OBE Director Climate Governance Initiative, and Berge Brende President World Economic Forum,Geneva #boardroom #environment #climategovernance #ESG #greenenergy #sustainability #renewableenergy

The allure of renewable energy is undeniable in our era of climate consciousness. However, the economic narrative around offshore wind projects often glosses over the stark realities. These projects are not merely about erecting turbines; they involve colossal upfront capital, ongoing maintenance in harsh marine environments, and transmission infrastructure that must traverse sensitive ecosystems. Consider the cost: each megawatt of offshore wind capacity could cost several million dollars, far exceeding the cost of natural gas or nuclear power per megawatt. This financial burden falls not just on investors but on every ratepayer in Massachusetts. The promise of job creation is frequently overstated, with construction jobs being temporary and maintenance positions often not materializing in the numbers promised. Moreover, the intermittent nature of wind power necessitates backup from traditional energy sources, undermining the economic argument for going all-in on this technology. https://lnkd.in/dskPz3FR

The link below to the article is definitely worth a read for those interested in a facts-based discussion of a renewables only approach to Australia's future energy.

Green technologies like solar and wind are decentralized in both the generation and distribution of power. Deploying them has helped Ukraine quickly restore some power as Russian bombs target energy infrastructure. I reported this story at #COP29. https://lnkd.in/eEwpABnt

It is a pleasure to contribute to the special issue of Transatlantic Policy Quarterly focused on "Change, Security, and Sustainability in Energy." Invited to share insights on this timely topic, I examine in my article, Sustainable Power: Transformations in Global Energy Security, how the concept of #energysecurity has broadened beyond fossil fuels to encompass the resilience of renewable systems and the infrastructure required to support them. As the climate crisis heightens the urgency of decarbonization, this transition introduces new challenges: ensuring grid resilience, reliable storage, and a stable supply of critical minerals. Additionally, geopolitical dynamics increasingly shape energy strategies, demanding a balance between traditional and clean energy priorities. My hope is that this contribution, drawing extensively on the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s expertise, provides a thoughtful perspective on the complex path toward a secure and sustainable energy future amidst evolving global pressures. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ebfP_mPf

MEET THE ENERGY REALISTS OF AUSTRALIA The Energy Realists of Australia is a group of engineers and scientist, most retired with collectively some hundreds of years of experience across engineering and infrastructure projects, many of them energy-related. In early 2022 the group started to send briefing notes to some 800 state and federal members and a list of journalists. The first explained that when we depend on the wind, if the wind stops, the grid dies. We called that the choke point to signal a sense of urgency but the term did not catch on. The second listed four “icebergs” in the way of the RE TITANIC, including wind droughts which were a novel concept at the time. This is the complete list. https://lnkd.in/g5eH-XfP WE DECLARE NO FUNDING AND NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

This is a great article from Kennedy Maize (part 1 of 3) summarizing the energy policy components of Project 2025. If you work in the cleantech space, I encourage to read Kennedy's articles (at least) or even better, download a copy of Project 2025 and use an AI tool to summarize the energy policy components. It's basically a roadmap for unraveling the progress we've made in the cleantech sector.

The recent #URC2024 in #Berlin showcased the potential of a renewable-powered Ukraine leading Europe's green transition. 🖇️Key takeaways include: 🔹Decentralized Renewable Energy: Implementing solar and wind energy at critical infrastructure facilities. 🔹Energy Storage & Microgrids: Enhancing energy independence with battery storage and localized grids. 🔹Investment Needs: With old Soviet-era centralised infrastructure being prone to rocket attacks, investment is needed for a rapid clean energy build-out, which is cheaper and more resilient. Ukraine aims to achieve a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but stronger policies and international support are needed for urgent action before winter. By prioritizing affordable renewable energy, Ukraine can rebuild its infrastructure, ensure energy security, and emerge as a global leader in the clean energy transition. 🔗 Learn more and support our journey to a #sustainable future. https://lnkd.in/e_UbYMRX